OFSTED

OFSTED inspect schools to provide information to parents, to promote improvement and to hold schools to account for the public money they receive. School inspections are required by law. They provide an independent assessment of the quality and standards of education in schools, and check whether pupils are achieving as much as they can.

TFCEPA opened in September 2014 as a brand new academy. New academies usually are inspected in their third year of opening, and in May 2017 we had our first visit. In addition, DBAT support our evaluations of the standards and care in our academy with regular visits from our School Improvement Partner and other members of the central team. The Local Board regularly visit school and are a critical friend to the school leadership, questioning data, finances and quality of education for all children.

SIAMS

SIAMS inspection focuses on the effect that the Christian ethos of the church school has on the children and young people who attend it. Church schools will employ a variety of strategies and styles, which reflect their particular local context or church tradition in order to be distinctive and effective. Inspectors will, therefore, not be looking to apply a preconceived template of what a church school should be like.

The principal objective of SIAMS inspection is to evaluate the distinctiveness and effectiveness of the school as a church school.

Towards this objective, inspectors seek answers to four key questions.

How well does the school, through its distinctive Christian character, meet the needs of all learners?

What is the impact of collective worship on the school community?

How effective is the Religious Education? (in VA schools and academies)

How effective are the leadership and management of the school as a church school?

SIAMS inspections take place every three to five years and we had our first inspection in March 2017 (report above). We value sharing the Christian ethos of our academy and the positive impact such ethos has on the learning and well-being of your children and the wider community. Parental feedback will be part of this inspection process.